bert425

great start, and nice report from a park I've not been to. weird no selfies (since my TRs always have tons of em) - tho you're in the mirror of that last room - yeah, that metal frame bed is weird. totally agree on the Enterprise. . I always take those pics too, such a great view. here's me on Witch's Wheel at CP about a month before it closed for good. (I asked the op to snap the pic. .LOL) look forwards to reading more.

^I'd think they'd convert Windseeker before they build an additional Drop Tower right next to it.

^ I'll be honest and say the ride would bore me to tears, and it's highly unlikely I'd ever bother to wait for it (which is odd, because I seem to be right there in the demographic they are aiming for with this. . . a cross between Jungle Cruise & Great Movie Ride (using only Disney for references). that said, despite what clearly looks like a limited budget? they did quite a nice job on the theming in the queue and on the boats themselves.

^ I'm sure they're excited they can list the Jesus Chicken under restaurants, since these dates are Wed-Fri. If I had a pass tho, I'd go just to ride Dominator, Woodstock Express, Delrium, and Bad Apple. (tho very very strange they aren't opening Racer or Twisted Timbers. . since both are right there. (the Windseeker too)

the food all looks pretty amazing (other than that Twizzler treat. . but that's just me not liking Licorice - yeah, not even red). oh, and the Carousel looks FANTASTIC where they moved it. nice report

^ I dunno. the two B&Ms at SFFT (Goliath and Superman) are always running - typically with 3 trains in the case of Superman. I've always found B&Ms super reliable.

^ that IS still better than many States that pay less. (the story is from 7 years ago, but I guess that exemption is still in place if the standard employee at SFA makes $9/50) (tho it does appear that the Texas SF parks seem to average ~$12 an hour, well over minimum wage - for standard ride op/service employees)

^ not really sure. . . the Federal minimum wage is only $7.25 an hour - so a lot of States have that (such as Texas). but in Maryland (where SFA is), the Minimum Wage is $11.75 as of January. . . so it's not as great as the states that are $12 and up to $15 - but it's better than many other States.

Going to BGW only for the coasters is really something only an Enthusiast would do. I could easily spend 3 whole days in BGW, doing the shows, looking at the animals, enjoying the grounds, shopping in the artisan shops over by Le Scoot/Invadr. And that's not including the handful of flats or the things like the riverboat excursion which is a lovely way to spend 20 minutes and can be done over and over. there's a TON to do in that park that's not just the coasters. (not to mention that Colonial Williamsburg is literally 10 minutes away from it and if interested in History, one can spend a full day + there as well). And Water Country is close by too, if you got a ticket that includes it).

^ yup. . I worded it that way to avoid spoilers. .

ha. . I just said the same thing.

that theater is gone, isnt' it? I was last at CP in 2018, and could swear that was a pile of rubble.

very odd. . . it wont' open up much space. . wonder what will go there to replace it. edit: just realized: and S&S Freespin would fit there. . . and Kings Dominion is getting one. So I have to wonder if that's what CP will be getting in that space.

^ unless they are building in the parking lot? they aint gonna be able to get any closer than ones already along the highway there.

^ being honest? Capaldi is one of the handful of "stunt casting" that just doesn't work and adds nothing to the film other than in your head going "hey, that's (insert stunt cast actor). the main cast are all very good tho, and makes this among the best of the DCU films. and I can state as a fact, this is the best acting John Cena has done in a film. . he's excellent in this, and I can see why he gets a prequel spin off TV show on HBO Max.

^ I'd say above average, since it has that extra helix at the end . . .

Yes! I had it from the mobile stand over in front of the Boardwalk area (between Tower of Terror! and Toy Story Mania!) the "shell" was a bit soggy, but really tasted kinda like a drumstick, and the ice cream was a slightly caramel with salt flavor. It was quite enjoyable, tho a bit mild. i could be mixing up with something else, but I *think* this also had a small amount of raspberry jam in the center?

so. . ."Suicide Squad" (spoiler free) IT. IS. AMAZING. incredibly violent, lots and lots of cussing - and earns it's hard R rating. starts off a bit "iffy" but by the time the opening credits roll around, I was all in. King Shark is astounding, as is Ratcatcher. And of course Robie as Harley - perfection. Really? all the characters are on point. if I had ONE complaint (and it's a minor one) it's that the use of Music really comes across as "Gunn trying to do "Guardians" here" but still. . . no real spoiler to say it has a fairly high death count. . . and I guess because I read so many comics? I was pretty damn accurate on whom I thought would survive (tho there is still a surprise or two). Highly recommended.

^ I'm ok with it too. . . Yosemite Sam was just fine. . but I've always missed "the Cave". .and this sounds like an exciting (and updated) reimagining of it.

Six Flags over Texas has announced that Pirates of Speelunker Cave will replace Yosemite Sam's Gold River Adventure, with the updated attraction opening in early 2022. https://www.sixflags.com/overtexas/new-experiences?fbclid=IwAR0DLM-XGJXJyKgN4z1BMc5B8t4of3NHQ3_B_3roSAE3LlOaIHVY-Wvabxg Six Flags Over Texas celebrated its 60th anniversary today by announcing that an all-new ride experience will make its debut for the 2022 season. Pirates of Speelunker Cave is a state-of-the-art attraction that will place guests squarely in the middle of a pirate treasure hunt thwarted by resident Speelunkers. This exciting, new attraction is the second new ride announced at the park and is scheduled to open early in 2022. Aquaman: Power Wave, a previously announced multi-launch water coaster, will also debut next season. “As the world’s first regional theme park, Six Flags Over Texas has built a solid reputation of providing innovative thrills and lifelong memories for generations of families,” said Six Flags Over Texas Park President Ron McKenzie. “What better way to celebrate our park’s 60th anniversary than by announcing a brand-new attraction that pays homage to our past and launches us into the future,” added McKenzie. An all-new entry plaza will welcome adventurers with coastal theming and an open vantage point of the ride’s first descent into Speelunker Cave. Once aboard their six-passenger boat, riders will experience 17 brand-new scenes that combine state-of-the-art cinematic projection with immersive sets and animatronics. Pirates of Speelunker Cave is a re-imagining of one of the park’s first attractions, The Cave, that operated from 1964 until 1991 and will replace the current version of the attraction—Yosemite Sam and the Gold River Adventure. The Cave featured original characters called Speelunkers that were created exclusively for Six Flags Over Texas. Pirates of Speelunker Cave will feature: 26 six-passenger boats; State-of-the-art animatronics throughout the ride experience; and Cinema-style, wide-projection technology to fully immerse riders with high-tech digital and physical sets. Pirates of Speelunker Cave is set to debut in early 2022 and will be the first of two major attractions opening at the theme park next season.

^ so lots of weekends blacked out, but that makes tons of sense. . if the locals are the main target for these (in particular the Imagine key), then they would/could go during the week in the evenings anyways. if I lived closer to CA, I'd be very very tempted to go for the top tier. But as is, we haven't been to CA in over a decade. . so it's time for a standard visit anyways. (and if medical issues keep happening, we might be doing a LOT of traveling in the next year).

^ that's actually. . . pretty great! a nice compromise, and I really like the "tiered" approach - similar to the Memberships that Six Flags does.

been getting some really bad health news (my Spouse, not me). . and we moved my Dad into assisted living (against his will), and spent weekend in Houston trying to sort / clean his house so we can sell it (hoarder crossed with collector, but he hasn't touched anything in over 4 1/2 years since my Mom died. . so yeah, it was / still is pretty bad). so even tho my Brother is doing most all of the Heavy lifting with Dad (he lives in Houston, and moved Dad to a place a few blocks from him) I'm so stressed. . can't stop eating, and prolly put on 10 lbs in the past 2 weeks.

the lighting effects on "windbreaker" are amazing tho

wrapping up the TR with a post of the swag gotten. Got up to the sound of rain and discovered the storms had moved in. I put my bag in the car, and after a quick breakfast in the Hotel, did the slow drive (in POURING rain) back to the airport to return the rental car. Amazingly, didn't get lost once, and was able to easily follow my printed out directions (again, hey! I'm old) to get to the car return, and was thru airport security quickly and began my ~2 hour wait at the gate. for the most part was uneventful, although there was one woman (and I'll bet you can guess hair color, skin color, and what 2020 Presidential Candidate T-shirt she had on) who *refused* to keep her mask on while in the Terminal, despite multiple gate agents asking her to, and getting on the loudspeaker over and over. She sat and "ate" popping one candy into her mouth at about every 3 minute interval, to keep the mask off, and the gate agent eventually had enough, and called the TSA to the gate - who spoke to her, and then she put her mask on, and I didn't see her the entire flight, so I guess she stopped causing trouble). just as we were about to board, TSA showed up at the gate, and set up on the walkway and there was an announcement that everyone needed to take out their ID, and that they would be randomly checking bags and pulling folks aside to do further checks. This was very odd, because we had all gone thru TSA screening to get into the terminal (although I did realize at this point that I had forgotten to take my belt off at the main Security, and no one even questioned it). But yeah, this had nothing to do with that woman above..think it was more about our flight was headed to Denver, and the All Star game was about to happen. . .so guess they were being extra careful. we had a bit of a delay leaving Denver for the flight to Austin, but nothing crazy, and the moment we landed and phones were out of Airplane mode, I texted Nick and told him I just landed. He responded with: leaving house now, be there soon. now. . we live ~45 minutes from airport. I was flying with carryon only. I was gonna be out at the curb in 10 minutes as I didn't' have to wait for luggage. I'd been traveling all day, and really hadn't eaten all day, and now was sitting by the curb in the Texas heat/humidity and car fumes from airport pickup. yeah. . wasn't in the best of moods. Luckily, Nick made pretty good time, so was only out there ~25 minutes. He could tell I was crabby tho, so offered to stop on the way home for some Tex Mex at our favorite spot in Austin, Serrano's. now, I hadn't gotten a chance to try the skyline chili (I just wasn't hungry when it was available), nor the cinnamon or pull-apart breads at Kings Island (all the more reason to go back next year). . .but I certainly was up for some excellent Tex Mex. so before even getting back to the house: Jalapeno rellenos (Jalepeno stuffed with cheese and deep fried) YUMMMMMMMM and for my main? a stuffed Chicken Burrito smothered in chipotle salsa and jalepeno ranch (and yes, about 1/2 of it made it home). but y'all don't wanna see the Tex Mex I ate once back in Austin. . y'all wanna see what swag i got at the park! ok: Tshirts: LOVE this one. .it's sorta tie die, but in darker colors. my favorite of the many Orion shirts offered. . not surprised it's sold out online, and they only had some weird sizes in store (tho the lady went back and found one in the size I needed) got this one for Nick. (I didn't get any "logo" shirt for me, only because I already had the anniversary shirt/pin I had bought before going, and the KI Coasterstock shirt) tho I did get this one too. . I couldn't pass up how great the Pink looked (!) and again, she found the size i needed int he back. i also picked up a bunch of magnets: this one is a lenticular 3D of the Beast, that moves when you tilt it. This one has a 3D element (Coaster track) this one spins in the center! the only things I was really wanting that I was sad I was unable to get? the Kings Island Exclusive Squishmallows. I had seen Robb & Elissa (with KidTums) pick up some of em, and SO wanted a couple. In particular, I wanted the Beast and Orion, and was interested in Diamondback after riding and loving it. the Flying Pig was cute, but didnt' see how that tied to Kings Island, and really didn't care one way or the other about the Blue Ice Cream. but when we went to the Squishmallow store at the front gate, we found it was closed down, and directed folks looking for Squishmallows to go to one of the entry plaza stores. . so we headed there, only to be told they were sold out of all the Kings Island specific ones, but they still had some "regular" ones. i was disappointed, but figured it was not meant to be. cut to ~1 week ago, and Don sent out to the Coasterstock FB group, a link promoting Racer T-shirts at the online store. out of curiosity, I went and looked, and although I didn't need any more shirts. . I noticed the online store has a tab for Squishmallows. . . . and they still had 3 of the 5 for sale. -- and meant to be? the two I wasn't' interested in were sold out, but they had available the other ! they just showed up today (a highlight in an otherwise *incredibly* shitty day .. no really, typing this up is a nice distraction). oh, and since i was in the store anyways? I had to justify the shipping, right? so picked this up too: Looks really interesting, Evan (@RideThroughTime) and can't wait to read it! all in all, a great trip, and look forwards to possibly doing it again next year!